Reaching the pinnacle in your sport or profession is an amazing achievement, but to do it in two separate ones is truly remarkable! How many former NFL athletes do YOU know who also happen to be internationally acclaimed opera singers? Well, until today, likely none. Here's your chance to hear the incredible story of my guest today, Ta'u Pupu'a, on the Make Your Mark podcast. You will hear about the challenges, hurdles, and ultimately, successes that Ta'u went through to be where he is today.
"There are a lot of times when you're on that stage, and you're singing with other artists but you feel alone, because in football you play as a family, as a team, but in opera what I've noticed is everyone wants to be the quarterback, everyone wants to throw that touchdown pass, everyone wants to be in the spotlight. But luckily I'm 6'5". In my mind I look at the opera as a family, as a unit, and I look at the conductor as the coach making sure the plays are all running smoothly."
If you've been following this podcast, you know that a common thread throughout is the story of the transition from either the playing field, court, rink, or even battlefield into a venture creating a lasting and positive impact, and Ta'u fits perfectly into that mold. It took a full year of being depressed and without direction for him to answer the calling of being a singer, and taking a giant leap of faith towards NYC.
"After the injury I struggled. I made the decision to go home, and driving from Baltimore to Utah was a two day drive. I had a lot to think about. What was I going to do? What was my life going to be? I was depressed for about a year, I couldn't watch football, couldn't watch my teammates be out there playing while I was sitting at home. I thought about what was my true calling in life, and I remember looking outside, and said step left, move forward, and go and sing. I thought, this is crazy, I've been playing football since I was 10, and now I'm going to go sing. I decided to do that, so I packed my one suitcase and moved to New York."
Ta'u is such a positive guy, with commitment, drive, perseverance all rolled up into a 6'5" body that can belt out an aria with the best of them. You will be inspired by the his determination to succeed on two big stages, performing at the top of his game, and leaving any doubters behind. Happy listening!
"How do you meet people in the music industry? I got a job across from the Metropolitan Music Hall, the greatest opera house. I walked into this restaurant and said "Hey I'd like to work here", and soon enough became the maitre d'! I picked that location because I knew that all the opera singers would cross the street to eat there, and Julliard was also across the street, and that's how I met my current colleagues! All these big opera singers would come into the restaurant, and I learned a lot by just watching. The same method applied to football, you learn by watching, and you go out and do it. You learn by examples - good examples."
"For me I had to go back to God and believe that things are going to work out no matter what. And that's when that voice popped into my head to keep going, but that we're going to go into a different chapter in my life."
Some Topics we talk about in this episode:
- Introduction - 0:40
- The Move to America - 3:50
- A Football Star on the Rise - 5:35
- I just had to show up and Deliver - 8:25
- 6'5", 290 lb and Killing it - 9:30
- Polynesian Pioneers - 12:10
- A Different Kind of Treatment - 14:15
- Behind the Curtain - 15:25
- The Baltimore Ravens - 18:45
- A Serious Injury - 20:00
- A Life-Changing Decision - 20:30
- One Suitcase and I was On My Way to New York. - 24:25
- Hustling in the City - 25:25
- You Learn By Watching - 26:30
- Strong Ties Between Opera and Football - 28:30
- Breaking The Mold - 31:00
- What it Takes to be an Incredible Opera Singer - 34:25
- "You have a God-given talent." - 36:45
- Amazing Benefits of being Bilingual - 40:00
- For Me I'm just Ta'u from Tonga - 43:15
- Our Body is our Instrument - 44:25
- When Injuries Hit You in the NFL, It's a "Tough Luck" Type of Deal - 48:30
- Hit Your Mark - 54:10
How to get involved
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- If you're looking for ways to Make Your Mark, send me an email [email protected] and I'll get you going right away on your path to success!
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